Inertia operated pump



July 14, 1931. T. EARLE 1 1,814,742

- INERTIA OPERATED PUMP Filed Sept. 21, 1929 III IIIIII. VIIIII\\ 22" I \72 I INVENTOR.

W J. am ATTORNEY. 1

Patented July 14, 1931 THEODORE EARLE, OF DENVER, COLORADO INERTIA OPERATED PUMP Application filed September 21, 1929. Serial No. 394,320.

My invention relates to gasolene gauges for automotive vehicles and the like and more especially to automatic -inertia-operat ed pumps for use in connection therewith,

and is an improvement over the invention in indicating mechanisms, of my associate Harry B. Ross, whose application was filed Dec. 14th, 1928, the serial number being I It has been found that the discharge valve of an air pump having an intertia-operated piston working in connection with a gasolene indicating mechanism, tends to stick tight to its seat after the pump has been idle for even a few hours.

This is probably due to the slight oil, asphalt, or paraflin content of the gasolene acting as a cement to hold the valve on its seat after-a certain amount of evaporation has taken place.

Another reason for this trouble is that an inertia-operated piston pump that is properly proportioned to the duty of delivering I air to the operating tube of an indicating mechanism, does not produce a high delivery pressure.

It has also been found that the intake valve of such a pump tends to stick upon its seat, probably due to dirt, or to a cementing residue of evaporation as stated above, and also due to the fact that a prop erly proportioned inertia-operated pump does not produce a very high vacuum on the suction stroke. I

The object of this invention is to provide an inertia-operated pump for use with an indicating mechanism,'in which the discharge valve will be'positively started from its seat by contact with the piston at the end of the down stroke thereof.

A further object is to provide an inertiaoperated piston pump in which a portin the cylinder wall is uncovered during a part of the upward. movement of the piston to allow the cylinder below the piston to be filled with air, and in which the port is covered and the air trapped in the cylinder during a part of the downward movement of the piston.

A further object is to provide an inertiaoperated piston pump in which a port in the cylinder is uncovered during a part of the downward movement of the piston to allow the cylinder above the piston to be filled with air to act as a cushion to quietly stop the upward movement of the piston.

A further object is to provide an inertiaoperated piston pump, which, because of the piston controlled intake and cushion supply port, and the piston started discharge valve, 6 is completely inertia-operated, whereby pos itive operation of the intake and discharge functions will take place, resulting in positive pumping of air.

The construction by which the above 0b- 65 jects are attained isdescribed more in de tail below and is illustrated in the drawings in which ;F igure 1 is a fragmentary diagram showing my completely inertia-operated pump and the main parts of the con- 70 struction of an indicating device with which it is associated. I

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View showing a modified form of my pump.

Figure 3 shows a modified form of piston.

The cylinder 1 is provided with the tank fitting flange 2, and is to be properly fitted to the gasolene tank 3, the joint between them being made leakproof in any proper manner,

The cylinder 1 is also provided with the port 31, the piston-receiving bore 4, the lock ing pins 5, only one of which is shown, and the cap 6 provided with the locking slots 6, only one of which is shown.

The cap 6 is to besubstantially air tight, not only to prevent loss of cushion for stopping'the upward movement of the piston without metallic contact, but also to prevent dirt being sucked into the cylinder on the downward stroke of the piston.

The discharge tube 7 is soldered in an opening in the bottom of the cylinder 1, or is otherwise properly attached thereto, with the interior of the tube in communication with the interior-of the cylinder.

The bell -8 is properly attached to the lower end of the tube 7, the joint between them being leak-proof.

The operating tube 9 is properly attached to the bell 8, with its lower end adjacent the lower end of the bell, the joint between them being made leak-proof and the passage of the tube 9 through the flange 2 is also made leak-proof.

The operating tube 9, at its other end, is properly attached to any indicating mechanism such as shown at 11, which is constructed to register the amount of gasoline in the tank 3, and which is operated by the pressure in the tube 9, which pressure is maintained proportional to the height of the gasolene in the tank by the action of the pump.

The gasolene feed pipe 10 to the carburetor of the vehicle, has its lower end adjacent the bottom of theta-11k and is properly attached to the bell 8 as a brace or support, and its passage through the flange 2 is made leak-proof.

The tube 7 is provided with a rolled in internal shoulder 12 against which is seated the brass washer 13-, upon which is seated the lead Washer 1 1.

The valve cage 15 is provided with the lower beveled sea 16, the valve spring 17, the ball valve 18 -and the valve seat 19.

The cage 15 is a close fit in the upper end of the tube 7 and is pressed therein and to a tight seat upon the lead Washer 1 1.

The piston 20 is provided'with the two cylinder fitting rings or shoulders 21 and 22-, the shoulder 22 being provided with one or more slots the'retlirough such as at 23.

The piston 20 is also provided with the valve contact pin 24, and is resiliently supported by the spring'25.

' he piston has considerable clearance with the walls of the bore 4 except "at the shoulders 2 1an d22, which are a close sliding 1% in the bore l.

Upon the upward movement of the piston lfthe port 31 is uncovered by theshoulder 21 and air passes in through the port 31 and down along the piston and through the slot 23 to relieve the partial vacuum under the piston formed by its upward movement.

Upon the same upward piston movement, air trappedaboi' e the piston as the "shoulder 21 passes upwardly over the port 81, acts as a cushion to bring it quietly to rest and prevent its'c'ontact with the cylinder cover.

On-the downward movement of the pisston, the shoulder 21'covers'the port 31, which position is shown in Figure 1', and further downward movement of the piston compresses th'e air thus trapped in the cylinder, and the downward movement with the pistonof thesh'oulde'r21 opens the port 31 in thecylinderabov'e the shoulder 21 to supply cushion air "to the cylinder above the piston. As the piston moves downward it compressesthe spring 25, and at or near-the end of the downward stroke o't the piston the contact 'pin24-en-gagesthe ball valve 18 and bumps it oil the seat 19, thus positively opening the valve even it evaporation of gasolene has caused the cementing action mentioned above.

As the piston moves upward on the rebound, which is assisted by the spring 25, the spring 17 causes the ball 18 to again contact the seat 19, preventing the loss of air from the tube 7. The piston rebound is first checked and then stopped by the air cushion above it.

It will be noted that the weight of the piston 1, the strength and length of the springs 25 and 17, and the positions of the shoulder 21, the port 31, and the cylinder cover, must all be so related and proportioned as to provide in a moving vehicle, the rebound-cushioned pumping action desired.

hen this has been taken care of, it will be seen that the movements of the piston will positively insure the pumping of air through the discharge valve to the tube 7, which is what is desired.

In the modified form shown in Figure 2, the piston 20 is provided with the shoulders 21 and 22 at its ends, and at its lower end is provided with a shallow 'counterbore for the reception and positioning of the end of the spring 25.

The port 31 through the wall of the cylinder 1 is controlled by the shoulder '22, the shoulder 21 being provided with a slot 23 whereby air from the port 31 may pass into the cylinder above the piston to form the air cushion.

The cylinder 1 is closed by the cover 6", properly attached to the flange 2. The poppet valve 18 seats against the seat 19 and is held thereon resiliently by the spring 17 The lower end of the valve has anapertured or notched guide plate 18", and the upper end 2 1- is formed to act as a contact {pin which contacts with the piston 20 at or near the limit'oit its downward travel.

The final result of this construction is the same as with the construction shown in Figure 1. That is, the dimensions, construction, and proportions of parts are such as to positively pump air into the tube 7 by the upward and downward movement of the piston 20 in the cylinder 1, and to quietly cushion the piston on its upstrokes so that its operation will be noiseless.

The port 31, controlled by the shoulder 22 acts as the intake valve, and the contact of the piston 20 with the discharge valve on its downward stroke acts to :positively start the opening of the valve even when it is stuck in plaee'by the evapora tion of the volatile constituents'of the gasolene.

In the piston construction shown in Figure 3, the piston 20 is provided with the shoulders 21 and 22, and is also prothe piston covers the cylinder port, may passto the lower face of the piston and on through the discharge valve.

As any competent mechanic will perceive,

any other proper closure for the upfier end of the cylinder may be used, andany other proper details of construction may be employed for the discharge valve and for the means of providing contact between the valve and the piston, so long as the final result is the positive operation of both inlet and discharge functions as well. as piston action, all of which is accomplished as a result of the use of the inertia of the spring-suspended piston.

It is also obvious that my positive acting inertia-operated pump may be combined with any proper indicating mechanism and in any proper way, and the unit to be inserted in the gasolene tank may vary considerably as to details of construction without departing from the essence of my invention.

Therefore, I do not wish to be narrowly limited to the exact details of construction illustrated and described, but what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is as follows 1.. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a ported cylinder, a spring-held discharge valve in communication with the cylinder, a piston-supporting spring in the cylinder, and an inertia-operated piston in the cylinder in contact with said spring and uncovering the cylinder port during apart or" its Lip-stroke, and uncovering said port and engaging said valve during a portion of its down-stroke.

2. In an inertia-operated pump to provide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism ofan automotive vehicle, and to be operated by the movement of the vehicle over the inequalities .of the road, the combination of a ported cylinder, a spring-held discharge valve in communication with said cylinder and said indicating mechanism, a piston-supporting spring in said cylinder, and an inertia-operated piston'in the cylinder and resting upon the said spring, and in its movements in the cylinder covering and uncovering said port, and contacting with and opening said di charge valve.

In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a cylinder having a bore and provided with a spring-held discharge valve in communication with said bore, a pistonsupporting spring in said bore, a piston in said bore having a pumping and a suction stroke therein and resting upon said spring and contacting with and opening said discharge valve near the end of its pumping stroke, the cylinder being provided with means controlled by said piston to admit air into said bore during a portion of its suction stroke: a r 4. In an lnertia-operated pump, the combination of a cylinder having a bore, and a piston reciprocable, in the cylinder, a spring in the cylinder supporting the piston, the cylinder being provided with intake and discharge means controlled by the movement of the piston in said bore.

In an inertia operated pump, the combination of a cylinder having a bore and a piston reciprocable in the cylinder and movable on its down stroke by its inertia alone, a sprin in the cylinder supporting the piston and moving it upon its up stroke, the cylinder being provided with an intake port positioned to be covered by the piston on its delivery stroke and being provided with dis charge means adapted to contact and be opened by. said piston.

6. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of ported cylinder having a spring-held. discharge valve and a pistonsupporting spring, and a piston reciprocable in the cylinder and resting upon the spring and reciprocable in the cylinder by its own inertia and the spring and by the bodily movement of the cylinder to control the port of the cylinder as an intake to the cylinder and to contact with the discharge valve and open same positively to insure discharge from the cylinder. 7

7. In an inertiasoperated pump to provide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism of an automotive vehicle, and to be operated by the inequalities of the road, the combination of a cylinder having a piston-controlled intake port in its Wall, and a spring-held, piston-contacting discharge valvein communication with said indicating mechanism, a piston-supporting spring in the cylinder and'a piston in the cylinder resting'upon. the spring and having relative movement with respect to the cylinder due to its inertia and the bodily movement of the cylinder, and controlling the intake port and by contact therewith starting the opening ofthe discharge valve.

8. In an inertia-operated pump adapted to provide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism of an automotive vehicle, andto be operated by the inequalities of the road, the combination of a cylinder provided with means for the in take and retention of air and with a springheld, piston-contacting discharge valve in communication with saidlindicating mechanism, a piston-supporting spring in the cylinder and a piston in the cylinder resting upon the spring and having relative movement with respect to the cylinder due to its inertia and the bodily movement of the cylinder, and by contact therewith starting the opening of the discharge valve.

9. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a ported cylinder, a spring-held compress air in each end of the cylinder durmg each complete reciprocation, and engaging and opening said valve during a portion of its down stroke for the discharge of the air in the valve end of the cylinder.

10. In an inertia-operated pump to pro vide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism of an automotive vehicle, and to be operated by the movement of the vehicle over the inequalities of the road, the combination of a ported cylinder, a spring-held discharge valve in communica tion with one end of the cylinder and said indicating mechanism, a piston-supporting spring in said cylinder, and an inertia-operated reciprocating, port-controlling piston in the cylinder and resting upon the said spring, and by the control of said port trapping air and compressing air in each end of the cylinder during each complete reciprocation and contacting with and opening the said discharge valve during a portion of its down stroke.

11. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a cylinder having a head end and a valve end and having a bore and provided with a spring-held discharge valve in communication with the valve end of said cylinder, a piston-supporting spring in said bore, a piston in said :bore having delivery and a suction stroke as it reciprocates with respect to the cylinder and resting upon said spring, the cylinder being provided with means to admit air into the valve end of said here durin :a portion of the suction stroke of the piston while compressing air trapped in the other end of the bore, and to admit air into the head end of the cylinder during a portion of the pumping stroke of the piston while compressing air in the valve end of-the cylinder, the piston contacting with and opening the discharge valve prior to the completion of the pumping stroke.

12. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a cylinder having a head and a valve end and a bore, and a piston reciprocable in the cylinder and movable on its down stroke by its inertia alone, a spring in the cylinder-supporting the piston,the cylinder being provided with an intake port communicating with both ends of the cylinder alternately as the .piston-reciprocates in :the cylinder, .and with discharge means at the valve "end of the cylinder, the piston contacting with and opening said discharge means prior :to the completion of the delivery stroke.

13. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a closed cylinder having a bore, a piston having a cylinder fitting flange both sides of which communicate with the re spective ends of the piston, reciprocable in the cylinder and moved on its downward stroke by its inertia alone, a spring in the cylindei supporting the piston, the cylmder being provided with intake port means in its walls controlled by said flange to feed air to both ends of the cylinder alternately as the piston reciprocates, and discharge means at one end of the cylinder adapted to contact with and be opened by said piston.

14. In an inertia-operated pump, the combination of a double ended ported cylinder having a spring-held discharge valve and a piston-supporting spring at one end, and a piston reciprocable in the cylinder and resting upon the spring and adapted to be recipro'cated in the cylinder by its own inertia and the spring and by the bodily movement of the cylinder to control the port of the cylinder as an intake to both ends of the cylinder and to contact with the discharge valve and open same positively to insure discharge from the cylinder.

15. In an inertia-operated pump to provide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism of an automotive vehicle, and to be operated by the inequalities of the road, the combination of a double ended cylinder having a piston controlled port to both ends of the cylinder in its wall, and a spring-held, piston-contacting discharge valve in communication with said indicating mechanism, a piston-supporting spring in the cylinder and a piston in the cylinder resting upon the spring and having relative movement with respect to the cylinder due to its inertia and the bodily 'movement of the cylinder, and controlling the intake port to the cylinder ends and by contact therewith starting the opening oi the discharge valve.

16. In an inertia-operated pump to provide air under slight pressure for the gasolene indicating mechanism of an automotive vehicle, and to be operated by the inequalities of the road, the combination of a double ended cylinder provided with means for the intake to and the retention of air in both ends thereof and with a spring-held, pistoncontacting discharge valve in communication with said indicating mechanism, a piston supporting spring in the cylinder and a piston in the cylinder resting upon the spring and having relative movement with respect to the cylinder due to its inertia and the bodily movement of the cylinder, and by contact therewith starting the opening of the discharge valve.

In testimony whereof I .aflix my signature.

THEODORE EARLE. 

